CA1044442A - Jewelry clasp - Google Patents
Jewelry claspInfo
- Publication number
- CA1044442A CA1044442A CA252,697A CA252697A CA1044442A CA 1044442 A CA1044442 A CA 1044442A CA 252697 A CA252697 A CA 252697A CA 1044442 A CA1044442 A CA 1044442A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- locking
- female member
- male member
- female
- male
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
- A44C—PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS
- A44C5/00—Bracelets; Wrist-watch straps; Fastenings for bracelets or wrist-watch straps
- A44C5/18—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like
- A44C5/20—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like for open straps, chains or the like
- A44C5/2052—Fasteners provided with at least one push-button acting parallel to the main plane of the fastener and perpendicularly to the direction of the fastening
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
- Y10T24/45—Separable-fastener or required component thereof [e.g., projection and cavity to complete interlock]
- Y10T24/45225—Separable-fastener or required component thereof [e.g., projection and cavity to complete interlock] including member having distinct formations and mating member selectively interlocking therewith
- Y10T24/45602—Receiving member includes either movable connection between interlocking components or variable configuration cavity
- Y10T24/45775—Receiving member includes either movable connection between interlocking components or variable configuration cavity having resiliently biased interlocking component or segment
- Y10T24/45785—Requiring manual force applied against bias to interlock or disengage
- Y10T24/45791—Requiring manual force applied against bias to interlock or disengage and partially blocking separate, nonresilient access opening of cavity
Abstract
JEWELRY CLASP
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A jewelry clasp is provided with a female member and a complementary male member adapted to cooperate with a releasable locking member disposed within the body of the female member, where the locking member engages the male member to hold the male member within the female member to prevent removal thereof. The locking member is of integral one-piece construction and has a locking portion for engaging the male member, a resilient portion for biassing the locking portion against the male member, and an actuating portion that projects to the exterior of the female member for moving the locking portion against the resistance of the resilient portion for releasing the male member to permit retraction of the male member from the female member. A holding member disposed within the female member positions the resilient portion relative to the female member and serves to receive and guide the male member through the female member. In a modified embodiment, the female member is provided with two similar locking members to prevent accidental retraction of the male member from the female member.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A jewelry clasp is provided with a female member and a complementary male member adapted to cooperate with a releasable locking member disposed within the body of the female member, where the locking member engages the male member to hold the male member within the female member to prevent removal thereof. The locking member is of integral one-piece construction and has a locking portion for engaging the male member, a resilient portion for biassing the locking portion against the male member, and an actuating portion that projects to the exterior of the female member for moving the locking portion against the resistance of the resilient portion for releasing the male member to permit retraction of the male member from the female member. A holding member disposed within the female member positions the resilient portion relative to the female member and serves to receive and guide the male member through the female member. In a modified embodiment, the female member is provided with two similar locking members to prevent accidental retraction of the male member from the female member.
Description
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a clasp, and more particularly to a ~ewelry clasp having an lntegral one-plece locking member ~or use ln ~ecuring necklaces, bracelets, watchbands and the llke, where opposlte ends of the ~ewelry are secured to either a male or female member of the clasp whlch are releasably locked together by the locking member.
Several types of ~ewelry clasp~ are currently in 0 use to secure necklaces and the like together, however none is entlrely satlsfactory. The small size and fragile connéctlon of these clamps render them difricult to manufacture and operate.
The durability Or these clasps is limited for slmllar reasons.
One ~ewelry clasp well known ln the art requires Ithe wearer to pull back a sliding lever and then position a loop over a small opening. This clasp is difricult to lock together, , and also dif~icult to manufacture. Thls clasp ls further dependent upon the reliability of an extremely ~ine coil spring whlch operates in a curved guide rather than a
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a clasp, and more particularly to a ~ewelry clasp having an lntegral one-plece locking member ~or use ln ~ecuring necklaces, bracelets, watchbands and the llke, where opposlte ends of the ~ewelry are secured to either a male or female member of the clasp whlch are releasably locked together by the locking member.
Several types of ~ewelry clasp~ are currently in 0 use to secure necklaces and the like together, however none is entlrely satlsfactory. The small size and fragile connéctlon of these clamps render them difricult to manufacture and operate.
The durability Or these clasps is limited for slmllar reasons.
One ~ewelry clasp well known ln the art requires Ithe wearer to pull back a sliding lever and then position a loop over a small opening. This clasp is difricult to lock together, , and also dif~icult to manufacture. Thls clasp ls further dependent upon the reliability of an extremely ~ine coil spring whlch operates in a curved guide rather than a
2 o straight line, where unlocking this clasp involves the same klnd of difficult manipulation thereof.
Another type Or clasp known in the art compels the wearer to manipulate a sharp pin into a narrow groove and then locate a small pivoting lock. Accordlngly, this device 2- ~.
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is also difficult to manufacture. The use of this clasp is somewhat time consuming, often irritating and may result in improper closure of the clasp and subsequent loss or damage to the jewelry.
A further clasp known in the art provides a female member including a ~ody member and a cap member therefor to pasition a locking member within the female member.
Additionally, this locking member is formed from two separate portions, one portion being the locking portion and the other portion being the spring portion to bias the locking portion against the male member. The difficulty in manufacturing this type of clasp, particularly when a small and fragile construction is required, drastically increases the cost thereof and the~eby renders this clasp impractical for mass production thereof.
The object of the present invention is to provide a jewelry clasp which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, and in particular provides simplified means for positively locking male and female members of the clasp together, while having a simplified construction that can be manufactured easily and economically.
The present invention, as will be described more fully hereinafter, provides a jewelry clasp comprising a female member and a male member adapted to be inserted therein, with releasable locking means for engaging the male member to hold same within the female member. The locking means includes an integral one-piece member having a locking portion for engaging the male member, a resilient portion for biasing the locking portion against the male member, and an actuating portion for moving the locking partion relative to the pressure of the resilient portion ~ .
. . .
,, ` . . . .
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for releasing the male member to permit retraction thereof from the female member, where holding means position the resilient portion relative to the female member.
More specifically, the invention consists of a jewelry clasp comprising a female member having an opening therein; a male member adapted to be inserted into said female member through said opening; releasable locking means for engaging said male member to hold said male member in said female member; said locking means including an integral one-plece locking member having a locking portion for engaging said male member, a resilient portion for biasing said locking portion against said male member, and an -actuating portion projecting to the exterior of the female member for moving said locking portion against the resistance of said resilient portion for releasing said male member to permit retraction of said male member from said female -member; holding means disposed within said female member -for positioning said resilient portion relative to said female member; said holding means includes a hollow body -element in alignment with said opening in said female member to receive and guide said male member through said female member: said body element being provided with means to space said body element from internal sidewalls of said female member; and said resilient portion of said locking member being disposed within a space between said body element and said internal sidewalls.
In a modified embodiment, the female member includes two integral one-piece locking members as described above to function as safety means to prevent accidental retraction of the male member. :
Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: ` -, . , . . , ,:, . .
FIGURE 1 repre ~R ~ ~a perspective view of a jewelry clasp pursuant to a first embodiment, showing the jewelry clasp in a locked position;
FIGURE 2 represents an exploded perspectlve view Or the ~ewelry clasp shown in FI&URE l;
FIGURE 3 represents a longltudinal cross sectlon taken on the llne 3-3 Or FIGURE l;
FIGURE 4 represents a sectlonal view taken on the llne 4-4 Or FIGURE 3; and FIGURE 5 represents a rragmented longltudinal cross sectlon Or a modlfled embodiment Or the present invention, simllar to the showlng ln FIGURE 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS . - -Referring to the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows a ~ewelry clasp Or the present lnventlon ln a locked posltlon.
The elements Or the ~ewelry clasp may be rabrlcated from any sultable materlal, such as metal or plastlc. The Jewelry clasp comprises a rema le member 10 and a cooperatln~ male 5_ ~
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member 12. The female member is preferably manuractured ln a rectangular box-llke shape as lllustrated in FIGURES
1-4, where the male member 12 is shown having a flat con~iguratlon, however these members may be fabricated in any regular or lrregular cross sectional configuration, such as cylindrlcal, square, triangular and the like.
- It is also posslble to ~abricate the female member 10 with a diffèrent external geometrlc conriguration ~rom that of the male member, for example the female member might have 0 a cylindrical or rod-shaped configuration while being adapted internally to receive a male member having a triangular cross section.
:, A~ shown in FIGURE 2, the male member 12 is an elongated rod or plunger having planer surraces to de~lne a rectangular croæs sectlonal configuration. A chamfered or beveled nose portion 14 ls provided on one end Or the male member 12, and a rlng portion 16 having an opening i therèin is provided at the opposite end thereof to function j as an attachment means for a necklace, watchband and the < ~0 like. Directly behind the nose portion 14, the intermediate ; body portion 18 is provided with a reduced neck portion 20.
, .
The neck portion 20 ls smallest in width immediately ad~acent to the nose portion 14, and tapers outwardly to its widest dlmenslon æpaced ~rom the nose 14, belng formed by a palr of cut-outs transversely spaced on opposite sldes of the neck portlon 20. The neck portion 20 ls adapted to receive a locklng member 22, whlch wlll be described hereinafter below.
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The locking member 22 ls an integral one-plece construction having a locking portion 24 provided with a centrally dlsposed aperture 26 thereln, a curved actuatlng portlon 28 extending outwardly ~rom the locking portlon 24, and a~resilient or sprlng portion 30 extending from the actuating portion 28 in a direction away from the locking portion 24. The tlp portion 32 of the resllient portion 30 ' ' `i's`turhè'd, the functlon Or wh~-ch- wlll be descrlbed hereinafter below. Although the male member 12 is lllustrated as having ¦0 a chamfered nose 14, any camming shape whlch would serve to guide the male member 12 lnto the central aperture 26 of the, locking member 22 may be used, where the nose 14 may be,bullet-shaped or tapered to a polnt to be recelved in a locklng portlon aperture sultably shaped to permit passage therethrough.
.
' ' The female member lO''includes a rectangular box-llke -constructlon havlng large opposlng sldewalls 34, 38, small ~opposing sldewalls 36, 40, and opposing end walls 42, 44.
A palr Or rlng portlons 46, 48 having openings thereln to `2 ~ function as attachment means for a necklace, watchband and -.the like, extend outwardly from the sldewalls 34, 38, respectfully and are abutted together as best shown in FIGURES l and 2. The end wall 42 opposite the ring portions 46, 48 is provlded with an aperture 50 to recelve the male member 12 therethrough. Additionally, as best shown in ~I~URE 3, the other end wall 44 1s provlded w1th a s1m11ar . -7-,, , .
1~4~4 4Z
aperture 52 to receive the nose portlon 14 Or the male member 12 therethrough. Furthermore, the sldewall 36 is provlded with an aperture 54 to receive the actuatlng portion 28 of the locklng member 22 therethrough, as will be discussed hereinafter below.
A bobbln-llke posltionlng member 56, as beAt shown in FI'GURES 2 'and 3, is provided with a hollow rectangular shaped body member 58 whlch i8 open on both sides to derlne a cavity or passageway 62 therein. A pair Or flanges or ~ 10 leg portions 60 àre'provided''at e'ach open end Or the positioning ', member 56 for proper arrangement o~ the posltlonlng member 56 wlthln the remale member so that the passageway 62 is in alignment wlth the female member openings 50, 52 as shown in FIGURE 3. The flanges 60 are bent outwardly from the - body member 58, being integral therewith.
, To assemble the remale member lO, which ls preferably ormed rrom a single sheet material~ the sidewall 40 is ~, le~t ln an open posltion as shown ln FIGURE 2. The locking member 22 is placed wlthin the remale member so that the 2 0 actuatlng portion 28 extends outwardly through the openlng ` 54 in the sidewall 36, and the locklng portlon 24 is positioned against the end wall 44. The tip portion 32 ~S Or the resilient member 30 is disposed against the sldewall 36.
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,~, The posltioning member 56 iæ now placed into the emale member 80 that the body portlon 58 abuts against the resillent member 30 wlth one Or the rlanges 60 being held between the tlp portlon 32 and the end wall 42 as shown ln , ,. .,; , , . , ,. . " , " . ", ;, . .
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FIGURE 3, whereby the rlanges 60 disposed closest to the end wall 44 are spaced from the end wall 44 to provide clearance ror movement of the locklng portion 24. Thls clearance ~or the locking portlon 24 is malntalned because Or the pressure o~ the tlp portion 32 against the above-mentioned rlange 60. The sidewall 40 is now bent over to close the remale member 10, thus securing the positioning member 56 therein.
Accordlngly, the positioning member 56 retains 0 the spring portion `30 within the remale member 10, permitting the spring 30 to rotate or plvot about the tip portion 32 whlch is secured in place. Thus, the spring portlon 32 allows the locklng portlon 24 to move ln a transverse direction . relative to the longltudlnal length o~ the ~emale member 10, where the spring portlon 30 normally posltions the opening 26 ln the locklng portion 24 out Or allgnment wlth the end wall openlngs 50, 52 and the passageway 62, as wlll be descrlbed ln more detall herelnafter below.
' In operatlon, the male member 12 ls lnserted into : ~o the'opening 50 ln the end wall 42 o~ the female member 10, and slidably moved forward towards the locklng portion 24, belng gulded ror allgnment by the passageway 62 in the body member 58 Or the posltlonlng member 56. The chamrered nose portion 14 Or the male member 12 passes through the central aperture 26 Or the locking portlon 24, and act~
as a cam agalnst the inner perlpheral surrace of the openlng ~ _ 9 _ .5 .. . . .
.
26 to temporarily dlsplace the locklng portlon 24 relatlve to the pressure Or the resllient portlon 30 to permlt the complete insertion therethrough Or the nose portlon 14, such that the nose portlon 14 extends through the opening 52 in the end wall 44 Or the female member 10.
The nose portlon 14 is spaced from the rlng portions 46, 48 as shown in FIGURE 3. Arter the nose portion 14 has pas~ed through the open`in~ 26, the resilient portion 30 biaseY the locking portlon 24 into engagement with the ¦0 neck portlon 20, as shown ln FIGURE 4, to lock the locklng portlon 24 behlnd thè nose portlon 14 to retaln the male member 12 in a lock position wlthin the remale member 10.
~ ` To unlock`the clasp, the actuating portion 28 is pressed inwardly, relative to the pressure of the resillent portion 30, toward the body Or the ~emale member 10 to align the locking portion opening 26 with the openings 50, 52 and passageway 62 to thereby disengage the locking portion 24 ~rom behind the nose portion 14. ~he actuating portion 20 is held in this position until the nose portion ` 20 14 Or the male member 12 is retracted into the passageway 62, arter which the actuating portion 28 ls released and the spring 30 returns the locking portion 24 to its non-. aligned position. Accordingly, the male member 12 can now be removed from the remale member 10. Thus, as shown above, the male member 12 can be repeatedly inserted and removed from the female member 10 in a convenlent manner to secure the ends of the ~ewelry which are connected to the rlng portlon 16 and 46, 48.
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FIGURE 5 shows a modified ~orm Or the ~ewelry clasp embodying the ~eatures Or the present invention, where no modification o~ the male member 12 is required ror thls embodiment. The size of the remale member 10 is malntalned, however provision is made for receiving a second integral one-piece locking member 122 therein.
Accordingly, similar to the above-mentloned construction, the female member includes a rectangular box-like construction having large opposing sidewalls (not shown), small opposing sidewalls 136, 140, and opposing end walls 142, 144.
A pair Or ring portions 148 (the other not shown) havlng openings thereln extend outwardly ~rom the large opposing sldew~alls, and are abutted together in a manner mentioned above. The end walls 142, 144 are provlded with apertures 50, I52 respectively therein to receive the male member 12 ~herethrough in a slmilar manner as mentioned above.
Additionally, the æidewalls 136, 140 are provided with apertures or slits 154, 155 respectively to receive the actuating portions 28, 128 of the locking members 22, ` 2 0 122 respectively therethrough, in a simllar manner as mentioned above.
Furthermore, the bobbin-like positioning member 156 is made slightly shorter than the positioning member 56 to accommodate both locking portions 24, 124 between the flanges 160 and the end wall 144 as shown in FIGUR~ 5, where the hollow rectangular shape o~ the body member 158 is maintalned to provide a passageway therethrough. It is noted, that ~- . .... . . .
~Q~4~2 the overall length of the locklng member 128 ls slightly shorter than the overall length Or the locking member 28 so that in the assembled position, the locking portion 124 abuts against the locking portion 24, both being movable within the cavity provided between the flanges 160 and the end wall 144.
The modified ~ewelry clasp functions in a similar manner as that mentioned above, however the nose portion 14 Or the male member 12 first passes through the central 0 aperture 126 Or the locking portion 124 to temporarily displace the locking portion 124 in one direction against the pressure Or the spring portion 130 to permit the nose portion 14 to pass therethrough, and then the nose portion 14 passes through the central aperture 26 of the locking portion 24 to temporarily dlsplace the locklng portlon 24 ln an opposlte direction agalnst the pressure of the sprlng portlon 30 to permlt the complete lnsertlon therethrough Or the nose portlon 14, such that the nose portlon 14 extends through the opening 152 in the end wall 144 of the female 20 member ln a simllar manner as mentloned above. After the nose portlon 14 has passed through the openings 26, 126, the . reslllent portions 30, 130 blas the locklng portlon 24, 124 towards each other lnto engagement on opposlte sldes Or the neck portlon 20, as shown in FIGURE 5, to lock the . locklng portlons 24, 124 behlnd the nose portion 14 to .; .
retaln the male member 12 ln a locked position within the remale member. Accordingly, the locklng member 122 functlons -la-as a sarety device to prevent a~cidental unlocklng of the male member 12, whereby both locking members 22, 122 mu~t be disengaged in order to remove the male member 12, as set forth below.
To unlock the clasp, both actuating portlons 28, 128 are pressed lnwardly towards each other to allgn the locking portion openings 26, 126 wlth the openings 150, 152 and the passageway ln the positionlng member 158 to thereby dlsengage the locking portlons 24, 124 from behlnd 0 the nose portlon 14. The actuating portlons 28, 128, -whlch plvot about the tlp portlons 32, 132 respectively, are held in this inward position untll the nose portion 14 or~the male member 12 is retracted into the passageway Or the positioning member 156, after which the actuating portion 28, 128 are released and the spring portions 30, 130 return the locking portions 24, 124 to their non-aligned position. Accordingly, the male member 12 can now be removed from the female member in a manner similar to that mentioned above, where this insertion and removal of the male member ~ ~0 12 can be repeated as desired.
; Numerous alterations of the structure herein dlsclose will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it ls to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of the invention which i8 ror purposes Or illustration only and is not to be construed as a limitation of the invention.
Another type Or clasp known in the art compels the wearer to manipulate a sharp pin into a narrow groove and then locate a small pivoting lock. Accordlngly, this device 2- ~.
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is also difficult to manufacture. The use of this clasp is somewhat time consuming, often irritating and may result in improper closure of the clasp and subsequent loss or damage to the jewelry.
A further clasp known in the art provides a female member including a ~ody member and a cap member therefor to pasition a locking member within the female member.
Additionally, this locking member is formed from two separate portions, one portion being the locking portion and the other portion being the spring portion to bias the locking portion against the male member. The difficulty in manufacturing this type of clasp, particularly when a small and fragile construction is required, drastically increases the cost thereof and the~eby renders this clasp impractical for mass production thereof.
The object of the present invention is to provide a jewelry clasp which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, and in particular provides simplified means for positively locking male and female members of the clasp together, while having a simplified construction that can be manufactured easily and economically.
The present invention, as will be described more fully hereinafter, provides a jewelry clasp comprising a female member and a male member adapted to be inserted therein, with releasable locking means for engaging the male member to hold same within the female member. The locking means includes an integral one-piece member having a locking portion for engaging the male member, a resilient portion for biasing the locking portion against the male member, and an actuating portion for moving the locking partion relative to the pressure of the resilient portion ~ .
. . .
,, ` . . . .
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for releasing the male member to permit retraction thereof from the female member, where holding means position the resilient portion relative to the female member.
More specifically, the invention consists of a jewelry clasp comprising a female member having an opening therein; a male member adapted to be inserted into said female member through said opening; releasable locking means for engaging said male member to hold said male member in said female member; said locking means including an integral one-plece locking member having a locking portion for engaging said male member, a resilient portion for biasing said locking portion against said male member, and an -actuating portion projecting to the exterior of the female member for moving said locking portion against the resistance of said resilient portion for releasing said male member to permit retraction of said male member from said female -member; holding means disposed within said female member -for positioning said resilient portion relative to said female member; said holding means includes a hollow body -element in alignment with said opening in said female member to receive and guide said male member through said female member: said body element being provided with means to space said body element from internal sidewalls of said female member; and said resilient portion of said locking member being disposed within a space between said body element and said internal sidewalls.
In a modified embodiment, the female member includes two integral one-piece locking members as described above to function as safety means to prevent accidental retraction of the male member. :
Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: ` -, . , . . , ,:, . .
FIGURE 1 repre ~R ~ ~a perspective view of a jewelry clasp pursuant to a first embodiment, showing the jewelry clasp in a locked position;
FIGURE 2 represents an exploded perspectlve view Or the ~ewelry clasp shown in FI&URE l;
FIGURE 3 represents a longltudinal cross sectlon taken on the llne 3-3 Or FIGURE l;
FIGURE 4 represents a sectlonal view taken on the llne 4-4 Or FIGURE 3; and FIGURE 5 represents a rragmented longltudinal cross sectlon Or a modlfled embodiment Or the present invention, simllar to the showlng ln FIGURE 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS . - -Referring to the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows a ~ewelry clasp Or the present lnventlon ln a locked posltlon.
The elements Or the ~ewelry clasp may be rabrlcated from any sultable materlal, such as metal or plastlc. The Jewelry clasp comprises a rema le member 10 and a cooperatln~ male 5_ ~
,~ 'J~ ' ' ' ' .
member 12. The female member is preferably manuractured ln a rectangular box-llke shape as lllustrated in FIGURES
1-4, where the male member 12 is shown having a flat con~iguratlon, however these members may be fabricated in any regular or lrregular cross sectional configuration, such as cylindrlcal, square, triangular and the like.
- It is also posslble to ~abricate the female member 10 with a diffèrent external geometrlc conriguration ~rom that of the male member, for example the female member might have 0 a cylindrical or rod-shaped configuration while being adapted internally to receive a male member having a triangular cross section.
:, A~ shown in FIGURE 2, the male member 12 is an elongated rod or plunger having planer surraces to de~lne a rectangular croæs sectlonal configuration. A chamfered or beveled nose portion 14 ls provided on one end Or the male member 12, and a rlng portion 16 having an opening i therèin is provided at the opposite end thereof to function j as an attachment means for a necklace, watchband and the < ~0 like. Directly behind the nose portion 14, the intermediate ; body portion 18 is provided with a reduced neck portion 20.
, .
The neck portion 20 ls smallest in width immediately ad~acent to the nose portion 14, and tapers outwardly to its widest dlmenslon æpaced ~rom the nose 14, belng formed by a palr of cut-outs transversely spaced on opposite sldes of the neck portlon 20. The neck portion 20 ls adapted to receive a locklng member 22, whlch wlll be described hereinafter below.
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The locking member 22 ls an integral one-plece construction having a locking portion 24 provided with a centrally dlsposed aperture 26 thereln, a curved actuatlng portlon 28 extending outwardly ~rom the locking portlon 24, and a~resilient or sprlng portion 30 extending from the actuating portion 28 in a direction away from the locking portion 24. The tlp portion 32 of the resllient portion 30 ' ' `i's`turhè'd, the functlon Or wh~-ch- wlll be descrlbed hereinafter below. Although the male member 12 is lllustrated as having ¦0 a chamfered nose 14, any camming shape whlch would serve to guide the male member 12 lnto the central aperture 26 of the, locking member 22 may be used, where the nose 14 may be,bullet-shaped or tapered to a polnt to be recelved in a locklng portlon aperture sultably shaped to permit passage therethrough.
.
' ' The female member lO''includes a rectangular box-llke -constructlon havlng large opposlng sldewalls 34, 38, small ~opposing sldewalls 36, 40, and opposing end walls 42, 44.
A palr Or rlng portlons 46, 48 having openings thereln to `2 ~ function as attachment means for a necklace, watchband and -.the like, extend outwardly from the sldewalls 34, 38, respectfully and are abutted together as best shown in FIGURES l and 2. The end wall 42 opposite the ring portions 46, 48 is provlded with an aperture 50 to recelve the male member 12 therethrough. Additionally, as best shown in ~I~URE 3, the other end wall 44 1s provlded w1th a s1m11ar . -7-,, , .
1~4~4 4Z
aperture 52 to receive the nose portlon 14 Or the male member 12 therethrough. Furthermore, the sldewall 36 is provlded with an aperture 54 to receive the actuatlng portion 28 of the locklng member 22 therethrough, as will be discussed hereinafter below.
A bobbln-llke posltionlng member 56, as beAt shown in FI'GURES 2 'and 3, is provided with a hollow rectangular shaped body member 58 whlch i8 open on both sides to derlne a cavity or passageway 62 therein. A pair Or flanges or ~ 10 leg portions 60 àre'provided''at e'ach open end Or the positioning ', member 56 for proper arrangement o~ the posltlonlng member 56 wlthln the remale member so that the passageway 62 is in alignment wlth the female member openings 50, 52 as shown in FIGURE 3. The flanges 60 are bent outwardly from the - body member 58, being integral therewith.
, To assemble the remale member lO, which ls preferably ormed rrom a single sheet material~ the sidewall 40 is ~, le~t ln an open posltion as shown ln FIGURE 2. The locking member 22 is placed wlthin the remale member so that the 2 0 actuatlng portion 28 extends outwardly through the openlng ` 54 in the sidewall 36, and the locklng portlon 24 is positioned against the end wall 44. The tip portion 32 ~S Or the resilient member 30 is disposed against the sldewall 36.
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,~, The posltioning member 56 iæ now placed into the emale member 80 that the body portlon 58 abuts against the resillent member 30 wlth one Or the rlanges 60 being held between the tlp portlon 32 and the end wall 42 as shown ln , ,. .,; , , . , ,. . " , " . ", ;, . .
1¢~449~4Z
FIGURE 3, whereby the rlanges 60 disposed closest to the end wall 44 are spaced from the end wall 44 to provide clearance ror movement of the locklng portion 24. Thls clearance ~or the locking portlon 24 is malntalned because Or the pressure o~ the tlp portion 32 against the above-mentioned rlange 60. The sidewall 40 is now bent over to close the remale member 10, thus securing the positioning member 56 therein.
Accordlngly, the positioning member 56 retains 0 the spring portion `30 within the remale member 10, permitting the spring 30 to rotate or plvot about the tip portion 32 whlch is secured in place. Thus, the spring portlon 32 allows the locklng portlon 24 to move ln a transverse direction . relative to the longltudlnal length o~ the ~emale member 10, where the spring portlon 30 normally posltions the opening 26 ln the locklng portion 24 out Or allgnment wlth the end wall openlngs 50, 52 and the passageway 62, as wlll be descrlbed ln more detall herelnafter below.
' In operatlon, the male member 12 ls lnserted into : ~o the'opening 50 ln the end wall 42 o~ the female member 10, and slidably moved forward towards the locklng portion 24, belng gulded ror allgnment by the passageway 62 in the body member 58 Or the posltlonlng member 56. The chamrered nose portion 14 Or the male member 12 passes through the central aperture 26 Or the locking portlon 24, and act~
as a cam agalnst the inner perlpheral surrace of the openlng ~ _ 9 _ .5 .. . . .
.
26 to temporarily dlsplace the locklng portlon 24 relatlve to the pressure Or the resllient portlon 30 to permlt the complete insertion therethrough Or the nose portlon 14, such that the nose portlon 14 extends through the opening 52 in the end wall 44 Or the female member 10.
The nose portlon 14 is spaced from the rlng portions 46, 48 as shown in FIGURE 3. Arter the nose portion 14 has pas~ed through the open`in~ 26, the resilient portion 30 biaseY the locking portlon 24 into engagement with the ¦0 neck portlon 20, as shown ln FIGURE 4, to lock the locklng portlon 24 behlnd thè nose portlon 14 to retaln the male member 12 in a lock position wlthin the remale member 10.
~ ` To unlock`the clasp, the actuating portion 28 is pressed inwardly, relative to the pressure of the resillent portion 30, toward the body Or the ~emale member 10 to align the locking portion opening 26 with the openings 50, 52 and passageway 62 to thereby disengage the locking portion 24 ~rom behind the nose portion 14. ~he actuating portion 20 is held in this position until the nose portion ` 20 14 Or the male member 12 is retracted into the passageway 62, arter which the actuating portion 28 ls released and the spring 30 returns the locking portion 24 to its non-. aligned position. Accordingly, the male member 12 can now be removed from the remale member 10. Thus, as shown above, the male member 12 can be repeatedly inserted and removed from the female member 10 in a convenlent manner to secure the ends of the ~ewelry which are connected to the rlng portlon 16 and 46, 48.
,.
1~4~4Z
FIGURE 5 shows a modified ~orm Or the ~ewelry clasp embodying the ~eatures Or the present invention, where no modification o~ the male member 12 is required ror thls embodiment. The size of the remale member 10 is malntalned, however provision is made for receiving a second integral one-piece locking member 122 therein.
Accordingly, similar to the above-mentloned construction, the female member includes a rectangular box-like construction having large opposing sidewalls (not shown), small opposing sidewalls 136, 140, and opposing end walls 142, 144.
A pair Or ring portions 148 (the other not shown) havlng openings thereln extend outwardly ~rom the large opposing sldew~alls, and are abutted together in a manner mentioned above. The end walls 142, 144 are provlded with apertures 50, I52 respectively therein to receive the male member 12 ~herethrough in a slmilar manner as mentioned above.
Additionally, the æidewalls 136, 140 are provided with apertures or slits 154, 155 respectively to receive the actuating portions 28, 128 of the locking members 22, ` 2 0 122 respectively therethrough, in a simllar manner as mentioned above.
Furthermore, the bobbin-like positioning member 156 is made slightly shorter than the positioning member 56 to accommodate both locking portions 24, 124 between the flanges 160 and the end wall 144 as shown in FIGUR~ 5, where the hollow rectangular shape o~ the body member 158 is maintalned to provide a passageway therethrough. It is noted, that ~- . .... . . .
~Q~4~2 the overall length of the locklng member 128 ls slightly shorter than the overall length Or the locking member 28 so that in the assembled position, the locking portion 124 abuts against the locking portion 24, both being movable within the cavity provided between the flanges 160 and the end wall 144.
The modified ~ewelry clasp functions in a similar manner as that mentioned above, however the nose portion 14 Or the male member 12 first passes through the central 0 aperture 126 Or the locking portion 124 to temporarily displace the locking portion 124 in one direction against the pressure Or the spring portion 130 to permit the nose portion 14 to pass therethrough, and then the nose portion 14 passes through the central aperture 26 of the locking portion 24 to temporarily dlsplace the locklng portlon 24 ln an opposlte direction agalnst the pressure of the sprlng portlon 30 to permlt the complete lnsertlon therethrough Or the nose portlon 14, such that the nose portlon 14 extends through the opening 152 in the end wall 144 of the female 20 member ln a simllar manner as mentloned above. After the nose portlon 14 has passed through the openings 26, 126, the . reslllent portions 30, 130 blas the locklng portlon 24, 124 towards each other lnto engagement on opposlte sldes Or the neck portlon 20, as shown in FIGURE 5, to lock the . locklng portlons 24, 124 behlnd the nose portion 14 to .; .
retaln the male member 12 ln a locked position within the remale member. Accordingly, the locklng member 122 functlons -la-as a sarety device to prevent a~cidental unlocklng of the male member 12, whereby both locking members 22, 122 mu~t be disengaged in order to remove the male member 12, as set forth below.
To unlock the clasp, both actuating portlons 28, 128 are pressed lnwardly towards each other to allgn the locking portion openings 26, 126 wlth the openings 150, 152 and the passageway ln the positionlng member 158 to thereby dlsengage the locking portlons 24, 124 from behlnd 0 the nose portlon 14. The actuating portlons 28, 128, -whlch plvot about the tlp portlons 32, 132 respectively, are held in this inward position untll the nose portion 14 or~the male member 12 is retracted into the passageway Or the positioning member 156, after which the actuating portion 28, 128 are released and the spring portions 30, 130 return the locking portions 24, 124 to their non-aligned position. Accordingly, the male member 12 can now be removed from the female member in a manner similar to that mentioned above, where this insertion and removal of the male member ~ ~0 12 can be repeated as desired.
; Numerous alterations of the structure herein dlsclose will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it ls to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of the invention which i8 ror purposes Or illustration only and is not to be construed as a limitation of the invention.
Claims (9)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A jewelry clasp comprising a female member having an opening therein;
a male member adapted to be inserted into said female member through said opening;
releasable locking means for engaging said male member to hold said male member in said female member;
said locking means including an integral one-piece locking member having a locking portion for engaging said male member, a resilient portion for biasing said locking portion against said male member, and an actuating portion projecting to the exterior of the female member for moving said locking portion against the resistance of said resilient portion for releasing said male member to permit retraction of said male member from said female member;
holding means disposed within said female member for positioning said resilient portion relative to said female member;
said holding means includes a hollow body element in alignment with said opening in said female member to receive and guide said male member through said female member;
said body element being provided with means to space said body element from internal sidewalls of said female member; and said resilient portion of said locking member being disposed within a space between said body element and said internal sidewalls.
a male member adapted to be inserted into said female member through said opening;
releasable locking means for engaging said male member to hold said male member in said female member;
said locking means including an integral one-piece locking member having a locking portion for engaging said male member, a resilient portion for biasing said locking portion against said male member, and an actuating portion projecting to the exterior of the female member for moving said locking portion against the resistance of said resilient portion for releasing said male member to permit retraction of said male member from said female member;
holding means disposed within said female member for positioning said resilient portion relative to said female member;
said holding means includes a hollow body element in alignment with said opening in said female member to receive and guide said male member through said female member;
said body element being provided with means to space said body element from internal sidewalls of said female member; and said resilient portion of said locking member being disposed within a space between said body element and said internal sidewalls.
2. A jewelry clasp as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking portion is provided with an aperture to receive said male member, said resilient portion biasing said locking portion to position said aperture out of alignment with said opening in said female member so that walls of said aperture engage said male member in a locked position.
3. A jewelry clasp as claimed in claim 2, wherein said male member is provided with a reduced neck portion for engagement in said aperture.
4. A jewelry clasp as claimed in claim 3, wherein said male member is provided with a nose portion having a cam surface to permit said nose portion to pass through said aperture when in the out of alignment position.
5. A jewelry clasp as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking portion is disposed between said body element and an end wall of said female member that is opposite said female member opening, and said actuating portion connecting said locking portion to said resilient portion.
6. A jewelry clasp as claimed in claim 5, wherein said resilient portion includes a turned end portion about which said locking member pivots when the actuating portion is actuated.
7. A jewelry clasp as claimed in claim 1, wherein said female member is a box-like configuration having a hollow rectangular cross-section, and said male member has planar surfaces to provide a solid rectangular cross-section.
8. A jewelry clasp as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking means includes a second similar integral one-piece locking member, the two integral one-piece locking members being disposed on opposite sides of said female member to prevent accidental retraction of said male member from said female member.
9. A jewelry clasp as claimed in claim 8, wherein the actuating portions of said two locking members extend through opening means in said female member to permit actuation thereof, said opening means including a pair of slots in opposite sidewalls of said female member, one of said slots being for one of said locking members and the other of said slots being for the other of said locking members, whereby said actuating portions must be moved toward each other in order to remove said male member from said female member.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US05/579,838 US4001923A (en) | 1975-05-22 | 1975-05-22 | Jewelry clasp |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1044442A true CA1044442A (en) | 1978-12-19 |
Family
ID=24318552
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA252,697A Expired CA1044442A (en) | 1975-05-22 | 1976-05-17 | Jewelry clasp |
Country Status (13)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4001923A (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS609802B2 (en) |
| BE (1) | BE841979A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1044442A (en) |
| CH (1) | CH611783A5 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2621034A1 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK140514B (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2311510A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1544190A (en) |
| IL (1) | IL49578A (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1069287B (en) |
| NO (1) | NO140960C (en) |
| SE (1) | SE411700B (en) |
Families Citing this family (18)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4286360A (en) * | 1980-03-10 | 1981-09-01 | Laurel Enterprises | Jewelry clasp |
| JPS60107002U (en) * | 1983-12-23 | 1985-07-20 | 三田 友一 | Kitchen waste bag |
| JPS60115006U (en) * | 1984-01-12 | 1985-08-03 | 大塚 清次 | Accessories - Fasteners |
| US4679282A (en) * | 1986-06-04 | 1987-07-14 | Feng Lung S | Press fastener |
| DE3837261A1 (en) * | 1988-11-03 | 1990-05-17 | Manfred Viktor Szedzinski | Fastener for an item of jewellery, and such an item of jewellery |
| US5476133A (en) * | 1994-07-12 | 1995-12-19 | Torkelson; Loren H. | Gate latch |
| US6317934B1 (en) * | 1999-12-29 | 2001-11-20 | Toska Co., Ltd. | Flexible circular linking means |
| US6481069B1 (en) * | 2000-10-17 | 2002-11-19 | Howard Cheng | Bracelet connector |
| US6484376B1 (en) | 2001-07-27 | 2002-11-26 | Puzant Khatchadourian | Jewelry safety clasp |
| US6634067B2 (en) | 2001-09-21 | 2003-10-21 | Donald A. Jacobson | Connector for a jewelry flexible member |
| US6804977B1 (en) | 2002-06-28 | 2004-10-19 | David Grabelle | Necklace and bracelet pendant-clasp |
| US7353665B2 (en) * | 2004-07-27 | 2008-04-08 | Spectrum Gems, Inc. | Clasps, interchangeable jewelry pieces, and methods for connecting the same |
| TWI437969B (en) * | 2009-03-20 | 2014-05-21 | Bp Childrens Prod Hk Co Ltd | Safety buckle for infant carrier and method thereof |
| US8375532B2 (en) | 2010-06-01 | 2013-02-19 | Brilliant Jewelers/Mjj Inc. | Jewelry locking mechanism |
| US9700108B2 (en) * | 2012-04-20 | 2017-07-11 | Seberu Pico Co., Ltd. | Coupler |
| US11140952B2 (en) | 2019-11-26 | 2021-10-12 | Rafik Oganesian | Clasp assembly |
| WO2021197656A1 (en) * | 2020-04-03 | 2021-10-07 | Pandora A/S | A jewelry clasp |
| US11684126B2 (en) * | 2021-12-01 | 2023-06-27 | Littlebird Connected Care, Inc. | Two-stage clasp mechanism for a wearable device, and related systems and methods |
Family Cites Families (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US556219A (en) * | 1896-03-10 | Island | ||
| US346109A (en) * | 1886-07-27 | Huxhum p | ||
| US1169693A (en) * | 1915-05-25 | 1916-01-25 | Erick J Swedlund | Clasp. |
| US1441208A (en) * | 1920-11-19 | 1923-01-09 | Adna F Blanchard | Catch for jewelry |
| US1531757A (en) * | 1924-02-20 | 1925-03-31 | Jr Everett Irving Rogers | Cuff button |
| FR668876A (en) * | 1929-02-01 | 1929-11-07 | Louis Rousselet Ets | Clasp system |
| US2013465A (en) * | 1933-05-31 | 1935-09-03 | Hugo C Johnson | Clasp |
| US2629156A (en) * | 1950-07-06 | 1953-02-24 | Kamens Irving | Catch for necklaces |
| CH286603A (en) * | 1950-11-16 | 1952-10-31 | S A Kurth Freres | Clasp for bracelet. |
| US3144692A (en) * | 1962-02-19 | 1964-08-18 | Espino Carlos | Cuff link |
| US3765064A (en) * | 1969-11-12 | 1973-10-16 | D Hoober | Jewelry clasp |
| DE2140373A1 (en) * | 1970-12-10 | 1973-04-19 | Johannes Kienast | CLOSURE FOR NECKLACES, BRACELETS, BELTS OR DGL |
| US3793858A (en) * | 1971-04-30 | 1974-02-26 | West Coast Chain Mfg Co | Connector |
| FR2154823A5 (en) * | 1971-09-27 | 1973-05-18 | Hooher Daniel |
-
1975
- 1975-05-22 US US05/579,838 patent/US4001923A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1976
- 1976-05-12 DE DE19762621034 patent/DE2621034A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1976-05-14 IL IL49578A patent/IL49578A/en unknown
- 1976-05-14 GB GB20098/76A patent/GB1544190A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-05-17 CA CA252,697A patent/CA1044442A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-05-19 BE BE167147A patent/BE841979A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1976-05-21 NO NO761743A patent/NO140960C/en unknown
- 1976-05-21 SE SE7605801A patent/SE411700B/en unknown
- 1976-05-21 DK DK226276AA patent/DK140514B/en unknown
- 1976-05-21 JP JP51058020A patent/JPS609802B2/en not_active Expired
- 1976-05-21 IT IT49617/76A patent/IT1069287B/en active
- 1976-05-21 CH CH643676A patent/CH611783A5/xx not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1976-05-21 FR FR7615553A patent/FR2311510A1/en active Granted
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| IT1069287B (en) | 1985-03-25 |
| BE841979A (en) | 1976-09-16 |
| IL49578A0 (en) | 1976-07-30 |
| DK140514C (en) | 1980-02-18 |
| JPS51146945A (en) | 1976-12-16 |
| US4001923A (en) | 1977-01-11 |
| CH611783A5 (en) | 1979-06-29 |
| FR2311510A1 (en) | 1976-12-17 |
| FR2311510B1 (en) | 1980-03-21 |
| SE411700B (en) | 1980-02-04 |
| JPS609802B2 (en) | 1985-03-13 |
| SE7605801L (en) | 1976-11-23 |
| NO140960B (en) | 1979-09-10 |
| NO761743L (en) | 1976-11-23 |
| DK226276A (en) | 1976-11-23 |
| DE2621034A1 (en) | 1976-12-02 |
| NO140960C (en) | 1979-12-19 |
| IL49578A (en) | 1979-07-25 |
| GB1544190A (en) | 1979-04-11 |
| DK140514B (en) | 1979-09-24 |
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